The Economic Times

In 1950, a live and unanaesthetized mouse was sent to the upper atmosphere in a V-2 rocket to test biological responses and capture physiological data and imagery during the flight

In 1950, a live and unanaesthetized mouse was sent to the upper atmosphere in a V-2 rocket to test biological responses and capture physiological data and imagery during the flight. The mission took place on August 31 at White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico. The rocket reached about 136.4 miles, but a parachute failure caused the capsule to hit the ground. The mouse did not survive the impact.